Welcome to the latest edition of the Greater Lafayette Indivisible newsletter. We’re imagining that activism is like a waterway that builds in intensity. In addition to calls to action, we’ll also provide information about upcoming events and opportunities to foster community, good news, and places in which we’re finding inspiration.
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Ripples (small direct actions)
- Leadership Lafayette is hosting its annual Volunteer Expo on Thursday, May 8, from 4-6 pm at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds (1406 Teal Road, Lafayette). This is an “opportunity to connect with 80+ local non-profits, explore diverse volunteer roles, and discover family-friendly opportunities. Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or new to community service, this expo is your gateway to making a difference.” You can find more information about the Expo on their website and Facebook page. You can also follow Leadership Lafayette on Facebook.
- NICHES Land Trust is organizing its War of the Weeds through May 11. This 6th annual spring volunteer effort will help to improve native plant diversity in our local woodlands. You can read more about it and volunteer to help here.
- Consider donating to the Recovery Café, a local non-profit that focuses on building a peer-based community of healing and support. “Whether it be substance use, trauma/grief, mental illness, homelessness, or incarceration, Recovery Café is a place where everyone can come together regardless of their individual recovery challenges. Experience radical hospitality and complete acceptance of exactly who you are, and exactly where you are. There is no ‘one size fits all’ answer to healing and growth.” You can donate here.
Rush (action at the county level)
- The 50501 Movement is organizing a protest on Thursday, May 1, from 4-6 pm on the south side of State Street, from S. Grant to S. University (615 W State Street, West Lafayette). You can find more information and sign up on Mobilize.
- The 50501 Movement is also organizing a protest on Saturday, May 3, from 12-3 pm at the 4 corners intersection of South Street and Sagamore Parkway South (3413 South Street, Lafayette). You can find more information and sign up on Mobilize.
- Freedom Road Socialist Organization and members of the West Lafayette LGBT+ community are demanding that West Lafayette pass a safe-haven resolution to protect gender-affirming care. They are encouraging attendance at the West Lafayette City Council meeting on Monday, May 5, at 6:30 pm at the West Lafayette City Hall (222 N Chauncey Ave, West Lafayette). You can also sign their petition here, and find contact information for the West Lafayette City Council members and a suggested script for encouraging their support here.
- We have created a petition for a plan to protect Purdue from Project 2025. You can read more about our demands and sign the petition on Mobilize.
- It’s Voter Registration season! We hope to be at a variety of locations at different times of the day throughout the spring, summer, and fall. We’re starting with the monthly “Mosey Down Main Street,” in downtown Lafayette, and you’re all so eager to register voters that we’ve already reached our volunteer capacity for the May 10 and June 14 Moseys! Thank you! We’ll continue to add more voter registration opportunities as they become available, so keep an eye on our Mobilize profile.
If you’ve never registered voters before and are feeling intimidated, please know that we always have at least 2 people at each location, so you will always have someone experienced with you who will show you how to do it and be available to answer any questions that come up. And for longer events, we’ll give people an opportunity to volunteer for shorter shifts if they can’t stay the entire time. - Mark your calendars for Racial Reconciliation of Greater Lafayette’s monthly Zoom meeting on Wednesday, June 4, from 6:30-8 pm, which will highlight Transformed Birth Services’ work in our community. Lindsay Mputubwele will present during the meeting, and she’ll discuss how this local non-profit was created to address maternal health disparities in Tippecanoe County by providing prenatal, birth, postpartum, and bereavement community doula support at little or no charge for underserved families. You can find more information on their website.
Rapids (action at the state level)
- The Indiana Democratic Party is hosting a People’s Town Hall on Friday, May 2, from 6-7:30 pm at the IBEW Local 668 (2535 S 30th Street, Lafayette). Party Chair Karen Tallian and other Hoosier Democrats will discuss critical issues in Washington. This will be an opportunity to make your voice heard, meet fellow Hoosiers from the area, and learn how to get involved and contact your representatives. You can find more information and sign up on Mobilize.
- The Younger Women’s Task Force (YWTF) continues to host Legislative Action Hours from 5:30-6:30 pm on Thursdays through May 15. Using a reproductive justice lens, they will identify, track, and lobby on important bills moving in the Indiana State House. During the weekly hour-long Zoom call, attendees will take action on those bills together. You can find more information and sign up for specific Thursdays here.
- People Power United is a grassroots group of over 200,000+ members in all 50 states that believe in the possibility of change and do the work to make it happen. They champion progress and power to the people, and they are hosting “Rapid Response for Our Freedoms” weekly Zoom calls from 6:30-7:30 pm on Sundays. You can find more information and sign up on Mobilize.
- Jewish Voices for Peace – Indiana has been organizing biweekly and monthly rallies around the state, including in Lafayette. You can follow them on Instagram to keep up with their plans.
- All-Options (formerly Backline) uses direct service and social change strategies to promote unconditional, judgment-free support for people in all of their decisions, feelings, and experiences with pregnancy, parenting, abortion, and adoption. They recognize that these issues are complex, but one thing is certain: Everyone deserves to have all options! They’re celebrating 10 years of abortion funding through the Hoosier Abortion Fund, and this year they have their highest Fund-a-Thon goal yet — $50,000 — which will be matched by the National Network of Abortion Funds, for a total of $100,000 for abortion access. You can donate toward their fundraising goal here.
Roar (action at the national level)
- If you haven’t yet read the 2024 guide from Indivisible national, you can find it here.
- SURJ national (Showing Up for Racial Justice) is hosting monthly Abolition Action Hours on Zoom to take collective action in the fight for racial and economic justice. Their next 2 action hours are from 3-4 pm on Thursday, May 15, and Thursday, June 19. In their one-hour gatherings, they will make calls, sign petitions, send emails, and take online action to close jails, defund police, invest in communities, protect Indigenous rights to land and water, and more! You’ll receive training and support throughout the session as well as a community of fellow SURJ members with which to take action. You can find more information and sign up on Mobilize.
- SURJ national (Showing Up for Racial Justice) is also hosting “Protect & Resist: first 100 days training and action program.” Join them on Zoom from 8-9 pm on Wednesday, May 14, and Wednesday, May 28, to take action together to show up against Trump’s illegal, immoral agenda. You can find more information and sign up on Mobilize.
- If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Mother’s Day through collective liberation, check out the work that National Bail Out is doing. Every day, tens of thousands of people languish in jail simply because they cannot afford bail. The National Bail Out collective coordinates the Mama’s Day Bail Outs, where they bail out as many Black mamas and caregivers as they can so they can spend Mother’s Day with their families where they belong. They provide fellowship and employment opportunities for those they bail out to support their growth and create a national community of leaders who have experienced incarceration. They also work with groups across the country to support ongoing bail reform efforts and create resources for organizers and advocates interested in ending pretrial detention. You can donate to #FreeBlackMamas National Bail Out here.
- The Native Organizers Alliance Action Fund is organizing around urging Congress to save the USPS from being privatized. Saving the USPS will benefit everyone, but it is especially important for Native and Indigenous voters because they are especially vulnerable to voter suppression.
As they wrote in a recent newsletter, “On reservations, homes are identified by landmarks, directions, and crossroads. Residents often depend on P.O. boxes in nearby towns or drop-offs at local businesses. Some must drive as much as 70 miles — one way — just to access their mail. For rural and Native communities, the post office is not just a mail service. It delivers essential items like medications, Social Security checks, and vote-by-mail ballots. With 99 million votes cast by mail in 2024, out of a total 156 million votes — nearly 2/3 of all votes — reliable mail service is critical to protecting our right and access to vote
In Arizona, for example, only 18% of reservation voters outside Maricopa and Pima counties have home delivery. On the Navajo Nation, the largest reservation — spanning an area the size of Ireland — most residents live in remote areas. If the USPS is handed over to private entities, Native communities — and Native votes — are at risk of being left behind. We can stop privatization of the USPS, but only with your help. Sign and send your message to Congress now.” You can donate toward their efforts here. - While summer can be an exciting time off for most students, many of them lose access to menstrual supplies. The Kwek Society is a 501(c)(3) organization that was founded by Eva Marie Carney in early 2018. Eva is a dual citizen of the United States and the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, an elected legislator for the Nation, and a human rights lawyer. Kwe’k (pronounced “queck”) means ‘women’ in the Potawatomi language. The Kwek Society works to shine a light on and address menstrual and other inequities in Indigenous communities. They work to end period poverty while celebrating individual dignity, agency, and success by providing Indigenous students and their peers, as well as certain Indigenous communities, menstrual care items, including their moon time bags filled with supplies.
As they wrote in a recent newsletter: “Moon times don’t stop when school breaks for the summer, and we want to be sure our partners have sufficient products on hand so students can take home whatever they need for themselves and any family members that could use period care items. Of course we stay busy over the summer, restocking for summer schools and other programs, as requested. We can only make all this happen with the support of generous donors, so thank you!” You can donate through ActBlue Charities, PayPal Giving Fund, Network for Good, or by mailing a check. You can also find additional ways to support them here.
Opportunities to build community
- May Day is the international workers holiday and a chance to celebrate the power of labor to change the world. GLDSA (Greater Lafayette Democratic Socialists of America) is holding their sixth annual May Day event, which will be a Bowl-a-thon for a group of workers trying to form a union on the Purdue campus. You can learn more about Res-Life Organized Workers (ROW) here. Bowling will take place on Thursday, May 1, from 6:30-8:30 pm at Mike Aulby’s Arrowhead Bowl (2331 Brother’s Drive, Lafayette). You can RSVP here.
- The Diversity Roundtable meets on the first Thursday of each month from 11:30 am – 1 pm at Wells Community Cultural Center (638 North St, Lafayette). These meetings are made up of a short structured program, sub-committee reports, general discussion, hot topics, and announcements. Meetings are hybrid, and everyone is welcome to attend without RSVPing in advance. For a zoom invite, contact them directly.
- The Tippecanoe County Democratic Party hosts monthly “Hoppy Hour” social gatherings on the first Thursday of each month from 5:30-7 pm at Thieme and Wagner Brewery (652 Main Street, Lafayette). This is an opportunity to share space to commiserate, connect, and collaborate on building the future they believe in. Whether you’re feeling frustrated, motivated, or a mix of both, this is your chance to find good company and engage in meaningful discussions. You can sign up via Mobilize here.
- We will be hosting its next monthly gatherings on Wednesday, May 14, and Wednesday, June 11 from 6-7 pm in the Maple and Elm rooms at the West Lafayette Public Library (208 W Columbia Street, West Lafayette, second floor). In addition to street parking, parking is also available in the garage across the street at 117 N Chauncey Ave, West Lafayette. If the cost of parking is prohibitive, the Library staff can validate your ticket at the front desk.
This will be an informal opportunity to meet like-minded folks, discuss opportunities for action, strategize together, and socialize; depending on what you need for renewal. We’ll provide snacks and nametags, so you’ll just need to bring yourself and a willingness to network. You can sign up via Mobilize here.
- The Tippecanoe County Democratic Party also hosts monthly lunches on the third Thursday of each month from 12-1 pm at Lafayette Brewing Company (622 Main Street, Lafayette). This is an opportunity to enjoy great food, engaging conversations, and the chance to meet like-minded neighbors who care about making a difference. This is a casual, welcoming event, and everyone buys their own lunch—just bring your appetite and ideas! Their next lunch meeting will be on Thursday, April 17. You can sign up via Mobilize here.
- Fuel Coffee Shop is hosting weekly gatherings for people who want to affect positive political change at the state level, but don’t know how to get started. Dubbed “Bluesdays at Fuel” because “the opposite of orange is blue,” the weekly meetings will take place at 4 pm on Tuesdays at their Lafayette location (106 S 16th St, Lafayette, 47905). You can find more information in this recurring Facebook event. They’ve also recently started a Facebook group.
Good news
- We had an incredible turnout for our April monthly meeting, with more than 80 of you attending! We strategized about how to turn our energy into action and how to work together to make our actions as impactful as possible.
- Thanks to everyone who came out to Representative Jim Baird’s Danville office on a rainy Friday afternoon on April 25 to ask “Where’s Baird” and share their concerns about the current direction of the federal government. People spoke about cuts to veteran benefits, schools, and Medicare, and they shared their concerns about the unlawful detention of residents and corruption in government. We once again asked that Jim Baird hold a town hall and hear directly from his constituents. The Danville office is open by appointment only and repeated requests for meetings and a town hall have been ignored.
- A new study at an Indianapolis work-release facility set out to see whether offering more support could make the process of reentering society after incarceration less difficult. You can read WFYI’s reporting here.
- A nonprofit organization in Indianapolis has launched a new AI chatbot to help connect people with resources for drug overdoses and harm prevention. You can read the Exponent’s reporting here.
- The Diversity Roundtable and the Tippecanoe County Public Library are hosting an evening with Jeffrey Robinson at The Long Center (111 N Sixth Street, Lafayette) on Tuesday, May 6 at 7 pm. Mr. Robinson is the critically acclaimed writer of “WHO WE ARE: A Chronicle of Racism in America,” which explores how racism impacts diversity, inclusion, and access in the community. There is no cost to attend, but a free ticket is required. You can find more information here and reserve tickets here.
What is inspiring us
- Blooms & Petals is hosting a “Blooms of Healing” gathering for grieving mothers at their florist shop (848 Main Street, Lafayette) on Sunday, May 4, from 12-2 pm. This will be “a quiet, come-and-go gathering created with tender intention: to honor and uplift mothers who have experienced such loss. Through soft music, soothing floral spaces, and messages of encouragement, this event offers a place to reflect, feel, and simply be. There will be light refreshments, a symbolic floral tribute, and a chance to create or receive a small keepsake in memory of your child.” The event is free, but they ask that everyone RSVP in advance. You can find more information and RSVP here.
- Star City News recently wrote a lovely profile of West Lafayette Public Library (“WLPL”) Director Marra Honeywell. You might recognize Marra from the events that Indivisible has held at the WLPL over the last few months, including the “Where’s Baird” town hall last month. Marra and her staff were so accommodating of our larger-than-expected crowd that day, and they all worked hard to make sure the event went as smoothly as possible. You can read Star City’s profile of Marra here.
- Volunteer Blue is a new project of more than 30 different national and regional organizations who have come together to recruit, coach and train volunteers to work in the most important races across the country. They are hosting a special online event called “No Kings – Then or Now: Fighting on All Fronts” on Friday, May 9, from 4-5:30 pm. The event will feature special guests speakers Historian and political writer Heather Cox Richardson, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, and U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin, and they will focus on strategies and pragmatic actions we can take to stop the destruction of our democracy. You can sign up on Mobilize to attend the event.
- The Good Samaritan Project is hosting its annual 2025 Cancer Survivor Tea on Saturday, June 7, from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm at the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette (102 South 10th Street, Lafayette). This year’s theme is Bridgerton, and it will be a special event dedicated to celebrating the strength and resilience of cancer survivors and offering a day of inspiration, connection, and support for those who have faced the challenges of cancer. Cancer survivors can attend for free, and the organizers encourage anyone to sponsor a ticket for a cancer survivor. You can find more information here, including links to purchase tickets, donate, become a sponsor or volunteer, and purchase tickets for cancer survivors.
If you have an organization, an event, or a bit of good news that you’d like us to include in a future newsletter, please email [email protected]. For general questions, please email the Steering Committee at [email protected].
As always, you can donate toward our efforts here or by donating cash at our next in-person gathering. Donations are used for expenses such as voter registration booth fees, supplies, and administrative costs. Thank you for your continued support!